Ron and the Trouble with Veela

[Scott Northrup]

No: HPFGUIDX 50338

Lori:
> Does anyone have any theories as to why Ron seems to be affected to a
> greater extent by the veela than Harry is?


I've always just written it off as strength of will.  Look at it this way;
the first time they both encounter veela, both Harry and Ron are caught by
the Veela charms.  Mr. Weasley knew what to expect, and could have steeled
himself against it.

However, in the later cases, when both Harry and Ron know what's coming (for
the most part), I think Harry is unaffected simply because he has a stronger
will than Ron.

Look at it this way- Harry was almost able to fight off the Imperius curse
the first time he ever had it cast on him, and was later able to completely
resist it.  While we have no idea if anyone else was as successful, I'm
under the impression only Harry came even close to resisting when
Crouch!Moody was trying out the Imperius Curse on the students.  This would
lead me to believe that Harry has far more willpower than the average 14
year old, or even the average wizard.

Also, I seem to recall reading that when the Priori Incantem effect occurs
due to brother-wands trying to fight each other, the wand that starts
regurgitating is based on the willpower of the two wizards involved (this
may or may not be true, I can't recall where I've read it, but it doesn't
seem to be from the books, so maybe a JKR interview-- or I'm just crazy).
Since it was Voldemort's wand that started coughing up spells in reverse, it
is entirely possible that Harry has a stronger will than one of the
strongest wizards in the world, Voldemort, which is definitely saying
something.

So yeah, I'm just going to guess that willpower (and knowledge) has
something to do with resisting veela.

-Scott